On October 6, 2013 at 10:13 p.m., Colorado Springs firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 4615 Hinsdale Way at The Retreat at Austin Bluffs apartments. The first CSFD engine arrived within four minutes to see heavy smoke and flames coming from the third story of the building. Firefighters worked to put out the fire from the outside of the building as it was not safe to enter.

CSFD responded to this three-alarm fire call with seven fire engines, four fire trucks, the hazmat unit, the heavy rescue unit and five support apparatus. There were 58 firefighters on-scene working to put out the fire and provide medical care to the residents.

Fire investigators have ruled this fire accidental caused by careless smoking. Smoking materials were disposed of in a potted plant on a 3rd floor patio. The plant ignited then caught combustible materials next to it on fire. The fire then spread to the 20 pound propane tank attached to the barbeque grill. The propane tank was not properly turned off thus accelerating the fire when it burned through the line from the tank to the grill. Two small 2 1/2 pound propane tanks also caught fire, one of which exploded. The combination of combustible materials and propane on this patio caused the fire to spread very rapidly.

All twelve units in the building were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The Red Cross along with The Retreat at Austin Bluffs property management are assisting the 20 displaced residents with housing and recovery. Two units on the third floor sustained substantial fire damage and the other ten units were impacted from the amount of water used to put out the fire.

The CSFD wants to remind you to always dispose of your smoking materials in a sturdy container that is never near anything that can catch of fire. Also, after you use your propane barbeque grill, always turn the knob on your propane tank completely off.